If your saved folder is full of the outfits of understated icons like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, The Olsens and Katie Holmes, it’s more than likely you’ve seen your fair share of the minimalist Brand that needs no introduction—Toteme. Everyone from influencers to editors either owns or has been inspired by the Danish brand whose fresh take on quiet luxury has lead to a cult following and several internet-famous pieces.
After gaining notoriety as a go-to destination for pared-back pieces that fall perfectly into the “hushed luxury” bracket, the brand has gained significant traction over the past few years, and when Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor Maxine Eggenberger made her first Toteme purchase last summer, we all gathered around to coo over the quality and construction of such a delicious buy.
But you don’t need to be a die-hard minimalist to be taken in by all things Toteme. The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted the brand’s take on logomania, with its monogram co-ord all over Instagram over the last couple of years. And there’s also plenty of prints and graphic florals for the statement dresser who likes to stand out from the crowd. In short, there’s something for everyone, but it’s the brand’s commitment to sustainability that scores points, and in standing for long-lasting Style and a slow and edited approach, its ambition is for customers to shop less, but shop smarter. And who wouldn’t agree with that?
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that a Toteme puchase is a sound investment, and these anti-trend pieces are designed to stand the test of time, making the cost per wear that much lower. But, it is possible to have too much of a good thing, and as something of a fashion magpie, I always like to cast my net far and wide for the next exciting finds. So, after scouring the market in a bid to find some equally desirable pieces for the season ahead, I put together an edit of nine other brands just like Toteme that will only serve to strengthen your wardrobe.
Keep scrolling to see the brands like Toteme that are really worth investing in now.
Style Notes: Fellow Scandi brand House of Dagmar set up shop in 2005 hoping to carry on the legacy of the founders’ late tailor grandmother, Dagmar. Expect the same refined colour palette as Toteme, with an exquisite eye for tailoring and construction that never fails to make an impact.
Style Notes: It feels like By Malene Birger has been part of our collective conscience for a lifetime, but the brand only turns 20 this year. Created to celebrate “the contemporary bohemian”, By Malene focuses on investment pieces with a conscious approach, delivered through the lens of Scandinavian minimalism, resulting in flowy skirts, structured jackets and plenty of Instagrammable co-ords.
Style Notes: MATCHES in-house label Raey has transformed itself from a modest, lesser-known name to a front-runner in the minds of the fashion-conscious. Each season-less collection brings an even cooler take on wardrobe staples and investment pieces, reinventing the way we dress for downtime as well as occasions.
Style Notes: Co-founded in 2017 by husband and wife duo Ji Young and Won Seob Lee, LVIR takes cues from traditional workwear and menswear and reimagines them in feminine silhouettes. Fans of Toteme’s dresses and outerwear will particularly love LVIR’s figure-hugging shapes and super-sized jackets come winter.
Style Notes: Although Khaite was around before Katie Holmes’s bra-digan, the New York label has since established itself as not only a celebrity favourite, but an industry must-have, too. Designer Catherine Holstein specialises in elevated classics with dressy polish–—think sensual slip dresses, cosy knits and plenty of covetable accessories.
Style Notes: Built on the principles of timelessness, quality and sustainability, Gabriela Hearst’s eponymous brand focuses on a slower pace and process with purpose to every piece. The label’s idea of “honest luxury” comes in the form of pleasingly heavy knits and coats, sweeping maxi silhouettes, and soft, strokeable cashmere and leather that comes sustainably sourced.
Style Notes: Yep, you guessed it, it’s another Swedish brand producing eco-conscious and mindfully crafted pieces in the way that the Scandis do best. Bite Studios was established by husband-and-wife team William Lundgren and Veronika Kant in 2016 with the idea of small runs of hand-finished pieces that will stand the test of time. Keep an eye out for the organic and low-impact textiles used to bring a polished feel to everyday pieces.
Style Notes: Here, the clue is in the name, as Giuliva Heritage makes pieces designed to become heirlooms that are handed down for generations. Originally starting as an outerwear brand in Abruzzo, Italy, it has subsequently expanded to include dresses, trousers and blazers, all with the same quality Italian craftsmanship.
Style Notes: Perhaps the most well-known brand on this list, and not just because of its A-list founders, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s The Row has far exceeded initial expectations of what had started as the quest to find the perfect white tee. Everything from The Row’s blazers to its chunky sandals make best seller lists, but perhaps none more so than the brand’s seriously impressive handbags.
Next Up: 12 Anti-Trend Handbags That Will Never Go Out of Style
